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Ali shares what it means to her to be a sibling caregiver to an adult diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how sometimes it’s the simple things that matter.

Cody has learned that getting help for a mental illness can be more than talking about it, you need to accept the help when it’s offered.

Tamara shares how she used her "second chance at life" through transplantation to advocate for others.

Reflecting on the years since his ADPKD diagnosis, David considers advice he might give himself at a younger age.

Meryl speaks about the importance of advocacy in her life and the urgency for information and access to clinical trials.

Living with Alzheimer's disease can be both emotionally and physically difficult. Understanding your condition and knowing that you are not alone can have a positive impact. Explore the support communities and resources below to help manage life with Alzheimer's disease.

It is still unclear what exactly causes Alzheimer's disease. Changes in the brain may begin years before symptoms appear as neurons die or lose connections while abnormal deposits of the proteins amyloid and tau build up in the brain. Certain genetic variations and a family history of Alzheimer's have been associated with increased risk, especially in people with early-onset Alzheimer's. For most people, however, genes alone do not appear to be the determining factor. Some lifestyle factors may help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's, such as healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits.

Meryl describes how her world revolved around caring for her husband and that she had to give up her career in her prime. She speaks about the intensity of care over time and the financial burden, and how she found ways to stabilize the situation. She also speaks about how she found her voice through advocacy work.  

Those suffering with mental illness are not alone. Mike offers his perspective to others with schizophrenia — be patient, trust loved ones, and know that there are others that feel just like you.

At the time of Harvey’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, it was considered a death sentence. Meryl describes how she kept Harvey’s more aggressive behaviors a secret, isolating herself, and how she was nervous when family or friends would reach out to help.